UPDATE: WT student killed in train collision

UPDATE (1:35 p.m)
Updates on the death of WT student Shelbi McClure

Moment of silence
WT Athletic Director Michael McBroom confirmed in an e-mail to sports reporter Tyler Anderson that there will be a moment of silence at tonight’s volleyball match against Angelo State and Saturday’s football game against Tarleton State.

Update from railroad company

Assistant Editor Ashley Hendrick talked to Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Joel Faust this afternoon. He confirmed the train that was involved in the fatal collision that occurred early Tuesday morning in Canyon was west bound traveling at 40 m.p.h. at the 100 block of 4th Street. Faust said the southbound vehicle passed under the level crossing and stopped in the middle of the track. The train hit the vehicle’s driver side. Faust said all equipment at the crossing was working properly at the time of the incident.

Email from WT Student Body President

WT Student Body President Nick Goettsche sent an email at 10:14 a.m. today. The following is an excerpt:

“Hello,
I’m writing to inform you that we had a student, Shelbi McClure, pass away last night in a train accident. She was a WT cheerleader and active in the Chi Omega sorority. We will be holding a vigil tonight at 9PM at the pedestrian mall in honor of her and would like to invite you to attend. This will not be a speaking engagement on your part unless you’d like to say a few words, we just think it would be comforting to students to see you in attendance.
Nick Goettsche
Student Body President“

Candlelight vigil tonight

There will be a candlelight vigil for Shelbi McClure tonight at 9 p.m. on WT’s Pedestrian Mall.’

WT Counseling Services

Counseling Services is available for WT students at 651-2340.

From earlier this morning
The Prairie is working to confirm the death of a WT student last night. Reporter Katie Nichols has spoken to the Canyon Police Department this morning and was quoted the following press release over the phone:

“On 9/25/12 at approximately 12:06 AM, Canyon police responded to a call about a traffic collision between a train and a passenger car at the 100th block of 4th street. The victim, a 21-year old female from Canyon, was found deceased at the site of the collision, and it is still under investigation.”

The Canyon Police Department did not confirm the person’s identity, but several posts on Twitter and Facebook this morning identify the person as Shelbi McClure, a student at West Texas A&M.

The Prairie is working to confirm more details and we will update the story on Twitter, Facebook and this site throughout the day.